Any thought Procz may have entertained about flashing his tin badge and strolling casually past the cordon evaporated when he saw who was guarding it. He saw immediately that, despite the uniforms and the paddywagons, these were not constables. The whole scene was wrong: they were at once too vigilant about holding their line and too permissive of the striking workers, who had been marching and chanting just outside the factory doors unharassed for the better part of two days now.

Even from a distance, however, he could see that there was no burly half-orc among them, female or otherwise. That didn't have to mean anything: workers walked the line in shifts, just as they labored. Ilya Gyula might very well be asleep right now, or tending to an elderly relative, or otherwise living what scraps of a life JP Cognelius permitted her in the time he did not claim as his own.

But the kobold's gut told him otherwise. The fake constables lent a fresh sense of urgency to Ilya's absence. Something was wrong here, something deeper than disgruntled workers.

Sorry, I realized I focused only on Procz here, but Frack is with him as well, as is Zúm. Feel free to backtrack a little if you want to cover anything about your discussion before you arrive at the factory or how you get there or anything like that.

Procz coughed.

Fortunately, it was just a short series of barks and not a full fit (although the ravaging torrents did come too once in a while). After another hem, the small constable looked from the scene in front to his companion Frack at his side. "That is a rather inopportune development of circumstances." His voice was somewhat raspy, but not nearly deep enough to be intimidating in any way. There was little intimidating about Procz at all, perhaps other than his uniform and the badge on his lapel.

Procz was riding his other companion. Zúm was a mechanized construct shaped like a dog. Zúm was a frightfully handsome thing, although missing both fur and the characteristic tongue and mouth-breeding expected from any similar living creatures. Yet, there was life in him; more than typical of the artificial builds. Zúm was a very good boy.

"I'm glad you came, Mr. Frack." said Procz. "Unfortunately, I'm not positive my objective here can be resolved. I fear I might be wasting your time. You see, I'm looking for an individual of the half-orcish persuasion by the name of Ilya Gyula; supposedly a worker at this industrial complex, who might be in possession of some valuable information." He sighed and another ahem escaped his throat. "This strike and the presence of the Steel Resolve complicates matter. For that is what these constables, must be; Steel Resolve. Very curious." He shook his head; his bristle of red-brown hair moving little.

Frack watched the scene before him with a steely focus, his red eyes darting from place to place in search of... "What was I looking for again? Oh, that's right. An orc by the name of Ilya. Shouldn't be so hard to find."

The goblin adjusted his helmet, tipping it back slightly to uncover his eyes. "I don't see him, Porcz. No sign of him anywhere." And while it may have helped Frack if he had any idea who Ilya Gyula was (or what she looked like), he nonetheless scanned the crowd with determination.

Procz looked at the crowds of workers, trying to pick out big humanoids with shades of greenish hues. He ranged from flax through aquamarine and celadon himself. And Ilya Gyula could be purple for all he knew. Most big-folks were just about equally big to a skinny creature of 3 feet 2 inches, yet the kobold felt confident there were no half-orcs to be seen.

"Let's engage these constables in conversation." said Procz, adding far too much sarcasm and disdain on that term. He suspected they wouldn't let him through, but there might be information in the wording and manner of their rejection. "Furthermore, I'd like to determine if we can get within an appropriate distance to consult any of the other workers. Someone might have insights regarding our target."

He gave Zúm a cue and they moved forward, stopping when they were within ten feet. "Greetings. I'm here to talk with a worker." He tapped his badge with one tiny finger. Procz noted the number of guards here, their faces and numbers. Having eidetic memory was useful in his profession. The kobold retained just about everything he had seen the last month.

Procz counted twelve of the fake constables: six blocking the road, and six more on the slopes looking down onto the factory. The latter had made some attempt at concealing themselves, though an experienced lawman knew just where to look for them.

The two who'd moved to block his and Frack's approach exchanged a look. "Sure," a chestnut-furred minotaur said after examining his badge a moment too long. "Go right on in, officer."

The two stood aside, but Procz clocked the minotaur nodding his head slightly toward his waiting companions, who straightened subtly and reached for their truncheons.

Frack, you do not notice this, though Procz can attempt to signal or communicate it to you. The way is clear for you to walk down the road toward the striking workers, though they are about 300 yards away and these fake constables seem to have other plans for you.

Procz had been wrong and right.

He thought they wouldn't let them through, but they did (seemingly). He also thought the interaction would provide insight, and it did. Steel Resolve had surely been hired by someone to make sure no outsiders came through. His primary hypothesis was currently that something was going on at this factory that had to remain hidden. Some kind of secret production? Was that why the workers were treated with silk gloves, instead of their strike being beaten down?

He remained at ten foot distance and held up his hand to the minotaur in a wait gesture, while leaning in to whisper to the goblin: "If we continue ahead, I suspect we're in for a serious bashing, Mr. Frack. Six more thugs, it seems, right there; armed with truncheons." He raised one hairless brow, wondering how Frack would take this?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Fri 21 Apr 2023.

"What's all this?" the minotaur demanded when Procz and Frack started whispering. She took a step forward, and the other constables on the road began closing in on them as well. Three of them moved to circle around behind the pair, while two stepped behind their paddywagons, taking up positions from which they could fire with partial cover. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The constables are moving into melee range and trying to get behind you. If you don't move immediately, they'll be able to surround you and you'll be open to opportunity attacks if you try to move away from them later. There are four, including the minotaur, closing to melee range and two more taking up positions behind their paddywagons, which stand in the road between you and the factory.

"Yikes!" Frack yelped. While not the most observant of goblins, Frack wasn't blind either, and it didn't take a Florian Windwalker to notice that the so-called constables were trying to surround them.

The goblin raised his shield defensively, looking to Procz for a sign of whether to back up or press on into the mess ahead of them.



OOC: Florian Windwalker was a noted monk of the mountain temple who was said to be able to "hear the beating wings of a dragonfly on the other side of the caldera."

While neither especially brave or cowardly, the kobold had one primary quality. Intelligence. Although the two of them could probably muster a potent surprise or two in a fight, and were surely being continually underestimated by people in their surroundings, the plain fact here was that they were thoroughly outnumbered. Pressing on would not be the smart thing to do. Procz gave Frack a subtle shake of the head.

He gave Zúm a cue to start slowly backing away, hopefully outmaneuvering the ones trying to surround them, then spoke up. "I am Constable Pançaronz Proclaatiz. This is my esteemed associate, Mr. Frack. I would like to inquire why you are obstructing a representative of the Constabulary." At this point, Procz reached down to a holster on Zúm's saddle and withdrew a rod, some foot and half long. It was a cane with a spherical pommel cast in resin; containing turning and ticking gears and wheels. It was not heavy enough to be perceived as a blunt weapon of any kind.

In fact, other than a dagger in his belt, Procz did not appear to be armed.

"Obstructing a... what are you, some kind of asshole? Constables aren't supposed to be here in the first place."

The minotaur's complaint was interrupted by one of the other "constables" shouting as Procz reached for his rod. "Gun!" he shouted, and fired his own rifle at the kobold. His companion behind the other paddywagon fired as well, while the others drew their truncheons and prepared to charge in.

Procz: That's a 16 to hit for 7 damage and a 21 to hit for 10 damage. It occurs to you that you're a bit lucky here: in keeping with the pretense that they are constables, these guys are using rifles standardly issued to the Constabulary rather than the more powerful, electrified weapons for which the Steel Resolve are notorious.

Those two got to shoot first because they had readied actions. The other SR and the two of you will act in initiative order, so please roll that. If you beat a 7, you can post your action now.

OOC: if I might . . . silvery barbs as a reaction to force that 21 to be at disadvantage and give Procz advantage on his next roll this turn, if in range to fire pistol (30/90) maybe in range for this spell (60)?

"Officers*!" Kreo arrived back on the scene of his earlier tension with the Steel Resolve masquerading as guardsmen

"I can understand brutishness, but to pick on someone one-eighth of your size shows, dare I say, cravenness!"

Kreo's finger touched his holy symbol on his shield as he strapped it to his arm, and then he spoke arcane words as the same finger touched his forehead and pointed to the minotaur

OOC: initiative 17, either draw within 30ft and spare the dying as a bonus action, ready action to attack with mind sliver (DC 13 Int save or 1d6 psychic damage and 1d4 penalty to next save) or if Procz isn't dying, use healing word instead for 1d4+3 healing as bonus instead
_{*-verbal component}

Sure, although I think it most makes sense to apply it to the first attack that hit. The SR rolled a Nat 1 on his new roll, so that means Procz will take just the 10 damage from the second hit, less whatever Frack reduces with his reaction.

At the sight of a gun being pointed in Procz's direction, Frack threw up his shield in defense of his friend. How could these constables possibly be shooting at one of their own?!?! The bullet still blew straight through Frack's shield, but he hoped in doing so it at least became a little less deadly.

And while it didn't feel right for Frack to work in opposition to established authorities, he also recognized when justice was due. This was certainly one of those cases. "You've just blown a hole in the shield of a Shield!* Now face the divine justice of Tyr!" And with his own unique blend of courage and thoughtlessness, Frack adjusted his oversized helmet, then charged the minotaur.


Reaction: Interception against shot against Procz (reduces damage by 8hp).
Move: Charge minotaur.
Action: Attack with scimitar. Hit AC18 for 6 slashing damage.

23:19, Today: Frack rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
23:18, Today: Frack rolled 8 using 1d10+2.  Interception against cowardly pot shot against Procz.
00:05, Today: Frack rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Scimitar vs. minotaur.
00:05, Today: Frack rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Slashing damage.

*The paladins around town are known as The Shield of Crimson Dale, or simply Shields.

Procz heard a couple of blasts from the guns being fired. There was a sting in one shoulder. He didn't feel the other and assumed it missed. The shot that did hit him had already passed through Frack's shield. That goblin was just spectacular!

Of course, his walking stick looked nothing like a gun at all. These thugs were just looking for an excuse to use violence. Not that the stick was harmless, to be fair. Procz could channel magic through it. Sometimes, to great effect!

He saw Frack get ready to charge and followed suit. In fact, reacting much faster than all the others. Sure, they might be overwhelmed in a matter of seconds, but they were going to show these people that the law would not always be ignored in this town. It could be served cold!

Procz made Zúm move closer to some of the thugs moving up one the side, and cast his spell. The kobold could feel the ancient legacy of the dragons grow within him, from a small silver bead to a mighty force of destruction. With a cough, he let out a breath of cold air that blasted and froze their assailants to their core.

Initiative 25
Zúm moves to within 15 feet of some enemies, if not already that close.
Bonus: Procz casts Dragon's Breath.
Action: Procz uses Dragon's Breath, hitting as many enemies as possible in a 15-foot cone for 9 Cold damage. Dex save DC 14 for half.

Procz's freezing breath ripped through all four of the constables closing on him. It didn't quite drop them, but it reduced all but their minotaur leader to shivering stooges.

Frack, ignoring the hole in his shield, stood between the minotaur and the kobold and slashed into the former, staining her brown fur a darker red.

Kreo, whom would you like to target? You get the sense that you'd have a good chance of dropping one of the minions if you hit them with mind sliver. The minotaur, though wounded, still looks a bit more robust. Spells can't typically do non-lethal damage but in this case I'll allow it, if you choose to go that route.

The minotaur is currently in melee with Frack and the other three SR are about 10' from them and from Procz. Kreo is 40' further out.

There are two more SR armed with rifles taking cover behind the paddywagons. They are 20' on the other side of the fray, so 60' from Kreo.

There are six more SR up on the slopes but it will take many rounds for them even to get within firing range. Similarly, the dust-up has attracted the attention of the striking workers and a few of them are coming closer, but they are also many rounds away.

OOC: if it's possible to be nonlethal I'll target one of the more confirmed drops then